A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

The auctioneer looked at the number. “Number 33 — Phoenix!”

Phoenix was the nickname Xia Ling gave herself in Paradise. Little Shaohui knew that she was the Xia family’s Phoenix, and this nickname would, hopefully, allow him to identify her more easily.

The auctioneer raised his voice. “In that case, let’s invite Madam Phoenix onstage to claim her prize!”

Xia Ling adjusted her mask more securely, draped the black shawl over her shoulders, and walked onstage on her shiny stilettos. The little girl was curled up in a cage set right in the center of the stage and looked up at her with eyes filled with fear.

An employee dressed as a clown came forward with an intricately designed tray.

And on the tray was a single key.

Those who had watched the auction before would know that this was the key to unlock the cage and retrieve the person inside, claiming the slave as their own.

But those eyes filled with horror were still fixated on her, through the grills on the cage.

At that moment, she recalled her tragic predicament in her previous life, where she was imprisoned by Pei Ziheng as well… That experience was all too painful to look back on, and she suddenly felt suffocated by that memory.

“What’s wrong?” Someone hugged her from behind and said with a sly voice.

Xia Ling was shocked and turned around, only to see a tall man with a cobra mask on. The two fangs on the mask made him appear to be smiling sinisterly.

“Who are you? Let go of me!” She struggled.

But the man was skilled and experienced, as he manipulated her to move as he wished. Holding on to her hands and locking her legs with his, he forced her into his embrace.

“My little girl…” The man’s slender fingers caressed her exquisite mask ever so gently, almost like a lover would.

And yet, Xia Ling was stiff from fear, because she’d identified this man by his voice.

That man was none other than…

“‘Mr. Li! You can’t do this!” The auctioneer was caught in a fix and had no idea why he had come. However, since it was his responsibility to run the auction smoothly, he had to try to settle this issue. “This lady over here is a Paradise guest, not a slave. Don’t you remember the rules for guests? They’re not allowed to lay hands on other guests here.”

“What a nag.” Li Feng’s voice was still grimy, and he evidently could not be bothered by the auctioneer. His fingers found their way around Xia Ling’s mask.

Xia Ling stared at him without even blinking. In fact, she had also been holding her breath all this while.

Li Feng laughed easily as if noticing her fear. “‘My little girl…” He said slowly, “Let me see who you are…”

Before he finished his sentence, he had sent Xia Ling’s mask flying!

Everyone present was in shock.

This was extremely disrespectful—

No, not just disrespectful. This was practically asking for trouble! Starting a feud!

The guests in Paradise put on masks simply because they wanted to conceal their identity. If someone was to expose them, how much hatred would they bear towards the other?! Moreover, the fact that they could afford the exorbitant membership fees meant that their revenge would be horrifying as well.

And yet, this rule did not apply to Li Feng.

Respect? This word never existed in his dictionary.

Revenge? Only he took revenge on others, who dared take revenge on him?

Hence, Li Feng had ripped her mask off her so arrogantly without a second thought.

As the diamond-studded mask lined with feathers fell to the ground, it revealed a familiar face. That was the face of a young lady, with fair skin and lips the color of cherry blossoms.

Not a magnificent look per se.

And yet, beautiful enough to keep everyone’s eyes on her.

“Ye Xingling!” Someone screamed out. She was a Diva now and was recognized everywhere.

There was a commotion among the guests.

Never would they have imagined that the Ye Xingling who appeared all charismatic and pure onscreen shared the same dark desires as they did!

“Well, this is interesting…” Li Feng stroked her face and mumbled. “It’s you indeed. I assume this means that my brother must be somewhere near?”

Xia Ling suddenly realized who he was really targeting.

“Li Lei isn’t here!” She said.

“Shh…” Li Feng placed a finger on her lips. “Girls who lie are bad girls.”

He dragged her to a standing mic and announced in his grimy, snake-like voice. “This female slave is mine. Auctioneer, bring me a leash.”

Everyone present was in shock.

Offstage, Eagle was stammering to his friends. “Oh my… Oh my god. Has Li Feng completely lost his mind? That woman… that Phoenix! Y-Ye Xingling! S-She’s an S!”

S referred to the owners, not slaves.

Eagle’s friends were shocked as well. “First Young Master Li’s taste is getting weirder!”

Onstage, the auctioneer was sweating profusely. He tried to force a smile. “Y-Young Master Li, please stop joking. How could you hold an S-type guest as your slave…”

“How could I not?” Li Feng smiled sinisterly. He reached for the belt that held Xia Ling’s leather outfit together and removed it.

With that, her clothes fell to the ground layer by layer…

She was dressed conservatively and primly at first, but now she looked a little pathetic with her clothes lying at her feet. Yet, with her fair skin and shoulder blades revealed, there was a strange kind of beauty to her as well.

She struggled instinctively.

Li Feng kicked her to the ground.

Xia Ling felt the ceiling spin as her ears buzzed. She felt a sharp pain in her chest and wondered if she’d broken any ribs. Before she managed to pick herself up, that dangerous man had come forward and pulled her by her long hair, and then tied her hands and feet with some rope.

“Done.” Li Feng released his grip in satisfaction as he watched her lose her balance and fall to the ground, leaving a blood stain on the stage where she hit her forehead.

“So weak, no fun at all…” He smiled and kicked her a few more times. “So, does anyone want to trade with me? If you can hand me a satisfactory slave, I can trade this fragile little girl with you.”

He sounded like a devil.

“M-Mr. Li… You really can’t do this…” The auctioneer could not think of anything better to say, and yet also dared not go forward to stop him.

If it was any other guest who flouted the rules so blatantly, he would’ve been kicked out of Paradise. But Li Feng was different, nobody wanted to offend this pervert!